Multiple myeloma may not technically have a “cure,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t live a good life with the disease. And maintenance therapy is one way to keep this cancer under control while you live life to the fullest.
Speaking with SurvivorNet, Dr. Matthew Ulrickson of Banner Health in Arizona filled us in on the maintenance phase of multiple myeloma treatment. For individuals who don't pursue a stem cell transplant, maintenance therapy comes after induction therapy. For patients who do have a stem cell transplant, maintenance therapy begins after their transplant.
Read MoreWeighing the Choices
With this in mind, Dr. Ulrickson says it is important for an individual to weigh their own personal goals along with the benefits of maintenance therapy.“This does not mean you must stay on therapy every single day of your course with multiple myeloma,” he adds. "The goal is to keep the multiple myeloma under control and allow you to do all of the things you want to."
This can mean a break from potential side effects, more time away from the cancer center and more time with loved ones.
“I always say to patients that if there’s a trip that you’re planning, yes, this is a good window to do it,” he explains. “We want to help to enable that.”
RELATED: What Are the Different Approaches to Maintenance Therapy?
One way doctors can allow their patients more flexibility is by keeping their multiple myeloma patients on an oral medication for maintenance therapy.
“Oftentimes, an oral medication is chosen from maintenance therapy because of its convenience, though, again, this is something you can talk about with your physician,” Dr. Ulrickson says.
And how long will you have to be on maintenance therapy? That also varies greatly on a case-by-case basis. Some people will only be on maintenance therapy for a couple years and others will be on it “indefinitely,” meaning that you stay on the medication as long as you want if you aren’t experiencing significant side effects and it continues to be effective for you.
“Both of those are reasonable options and should be discussed as an individual with your physician,” Dr. Ulrickson says.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
